Houston to San Francisco (IAH–SFO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IAH–SFO is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and SkyWest Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,633 miles in approximately 3h 45m. Beyond nonstop, 159 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: CA, EK, NH, OZ, VA | 82 | 753, 777, 7M9, B39M | 3h45-4h22 | Star Alliance | CA, EK, NH, OZ, VA | |
| OO SkyWest Airlines | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San Francisco from Houston
| Metric | IAH→SFO | HOU→SFO | AUS→SFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IAH | – | 24 mi | 140 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 5 | 20 |
| Weekly flights | 214 | 1 | 189 |
| Flight time | 3h 45m | 3h 46m | 3h 11m |
| Departure OTP | 88% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
IAH: CDT · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Houston, it's 4:00 PM in San Francisco.
IAH has no direct rail link to downtown Houston. The IAH Express bus runs from Houston Amtrak/Greyhound station via Park & Ride to Terminal C (60–90 min, $1.25 with METRO Q card). This is the only transit option; Houston's rail network does not reach the airport.Taxis from downtown Houston cost $50–70 and take 40–60 minutes. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) are typically $35–55. IAH sits 23 miles north of downtown on the North Freeway (I-45); traffic is heavy during morning and evening rush. Remote economy parking lots serve all terminals via shuttle.
BART from SFO station (free AirTrain from any terminal to the station) to downtown San Francisco takes 30–40 minutes ($10.45 to Embarcadero). Traffic on 101 can make taxis and ride-hails much slower during peak hours; BART skips all of that. BART also reaches Oakland, Berkeley, and Millbrae for Caltrain connections.Ride-hails from SFO use a dedicated garage pickup area; follow signs. Taxis are metered; downtown SF costs $40–60. Caltrain to the Peninsula (Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose) requires taking BART to Millbrae station for the transfer. Rental cars are at a consolidated facility accessible by AirTrain.
Coastal fog dominates the climate pattern. The thick marine layer ("Karl the Fog") rolls into SFO from the Pacific regularly in summer (June–September), causing significant low-visibility delays even on days that appear sunny inland. Morning fog burns off by afternoon most days, but persistent IFR conditions can last all day. This is the primary flight disruption risk at SFO.
Temperatures are mild year-round (10–20°C) with little seasonal variation. Winters bring rain (December–March) and occasional atmospheric river events that cause brief but intense flooding on the 101. Summers are cool. Pack a light jacket year-round. Wind off the bay affects small aircraft approach paths.
IAH–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IAH to SFO
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines. With 214 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IAH to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IAH to SFO ranges from 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 34 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,633 miles (2,627 km). There are approximately 214 weekly flights outbound and 203 return, totaling 417 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
159 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via ABI. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Houston (HOU) and Austin (AUS).